1st Advantage MortgageIn Potter County, South Dakota, the typical household earns $72,045 a year and the typical rent is $1,008. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in South Dakota before sharing details.
On this page
- Potter County, SD: the basics
- How much Potter County households make
- Renting and owning in Potter County
- Jobs and commutes in Potter County
- How Potter County compares with nearby counties
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Potter County
- A Potter County household budget, worked through
- Local borrowing considerations for Potter County
- Who lives in Potter County, in numbers
- Four steps for Potter County borrowers
- South Dakota rules that apply in Potter County
- More guides for Potter County
- Frequently asked questions
Potter County, SD: the basics
With an estimated 2,388 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Potter County ranks 52nd of 66 in South Dakota for population. Spread over 861 square miles, that works out to roughly 2.8 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Potter County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 4 places in the county (4 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Gettysburg, with about 1,260 residents, or 53% of the county. With so few households sampled, Potter County estimates can move a lot between releases.
How much Potter County households make
At $72,045, the typical Potter County household income is 10% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 35th of 66.
| Yearly household income | Potter County | Gap to South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 19.3% | -1.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 52.1% | +8.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.5% | -5.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.1% | -1.0 pts |
The spread is wide: 29% of Potter County households make $100,000 or more, and 19% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 6.2%, 6 points lower than the state's 11.9%. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Potter County median.
Renting and owning in Potter County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,008 in Potter County versus $946 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 43% of renter households here. Home values center on $121,300, or 1.7 years of median income. The ownership rate is 82%.
| Home costs | Potter County | South Dakota | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,008/mo | $946/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $121,300 | $257,400 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 82% | 69% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 43% | 40% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 19% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 25.3% | 7.2% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 32% | 11% | n/a |
Because most Potter County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Jobs and commutes in Potter County
Agriculture, forestry and mining employs 27% of working residents, the largest share; education and health care is next with 18%. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 27% locally and 6% for South Dakota. The survey's unemployment rate for Potter County averages 2.6% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 2.9%). 6% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 6% work from home. Households without a car make up 2.6% of the total (5.2% statewide).
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Potter County | Gap to South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 26.8% | +20.4 pts |
| Education and health care | 18.5% | -6.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 15.2% | +3.7 pts |
| Construction | 9.2% | +1.6 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 6.5% | -0.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 5.8% | -2.6 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
How Potter County compares with nearby counties
Sully County is closest, 24 miles from center to center; the sixth, Edmunds County, is 44 miles off. Income ranges from $54,104 in Dewey County to $81,630 in Edmunds County; 3 of these neighbors top Potter County's median.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Potter County | - | $72,045 | $1,008/mo | 82% |
| Sully County, SD | 24 mi | $72,578 | $842/mo | 73% |
| Walworth County, SD | 26 mi | $65,026 | $926/mo | 76% |
| Faulk County, SD | 39 mi | $57,750 | $771/mo | 80% |
| Hyde County, SD | 43 mi | $73,472 | $836/mo | 83% |
| Dewey County, SD | 43 mi | $54,104 | $692/mo | 61% |
| Edmunds County, SD | 44 mi | $81,630 | $992/mo | 81% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Potter County
Here are the 4 most populous of the county's 4 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 72% of Potter County residents live in one of the 4. This guide covers each of the 4 places and the rural areas around them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gettysburg | city | 1,260 | $63,929 | $1,051 | 3 mi |
| Hoven | town | 329 | $60,625 | n/a | 16 mi |
| Lebanon | town | 76 | $63,125 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Tolstoy | town | 57 | $76,071 | n/a | 20 mi |
A Potter County household budget, worked through
Potter County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $72,045 a year is $6,004 of gross monthly income
- Rent at the median, $1,008, takes 17% of that
- At 36%, room after rent is $1,153 a month
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,574 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Potter County's.
Local borrowing considerations for Potter County
What the Potter County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Manufactured homes. 25% of Potter County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Benefit income. With half of residents older than 50, lenders often see pension and Social Security income, which counts like wages.
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
Who lives in Potter County, in numbers
Degree holders: 27% of adults over 25. 4.3% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Potter County | South Dakota | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 49.9 | 38.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 27.2% | 31.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 3.7% | 6.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.3% | 9.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.6% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.0% | 9.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 6.2% | 11.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.6% | 2.9% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 63.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 20.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 9.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 1.6% |
| 60+ min | 4.4% |
Four steps for Potter County borrowers
Steps that save money for Potter County residents:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
South Dakota rules that apply in Potter County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Potter County borrowers answers to the South Dakota Division of Banking. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. Statewide data and rules: South Dakota guide.
More guides for Potter County
The South Dakota guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Potter County?
$72,045 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $75,081 for South Dakota. It ranks 35th of 66 in the state.
How does Potter County rent compare with South Dakota?
$1,008 locally versus $946 for the state, 7% above.
Should Potter County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 82% of Potter County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Does this page cover Gettysburg?
Yes, along with the other 3 Census places in Potter County, such as Hoven, Lebanon, Tolstoy.
Can Potter County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every South Dakota county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.